Columbia, MO Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Columbia, MO is simple but important. First, remove all personal items from inside your car, including toll passes, GPS devices, and any fragile items. These can get damaged or lost during transit.

Next, clean your vehicle inside and out. This helps you spot any existing damage and makes the inspection process easier. Take photos of your car from all angles before pickup.

Make sure your car is in good working order. Check that the battery is charged, tires are properly inflated, and there’s no more than a quarter tank of gas. Remove or secure any loose parts like antennas, spoilers, or bike racks.

Have a spare key ready for the driver. They’ll need it to load and unload your vehicle safely.

For complete details, check our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps will help ensure your car arrives safely at its destination.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from Columbia, MO. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your Columbia car shipment begins, we verify that your carrier’s insurance is current and valid. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their policy for extra protection.

This means your vehicle is covered from pickup in Columbia through delivery at your destination. You can ship with confidence knowing your car is protected by comprehensive commercial insurance throughout the entire transport process.

For car shipping from Columbia, MO, we recommend booking at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure competitive rates and preferred pickup dates.

Here’s why early booking matters:

• Better pricing: Carriers can plan routes more efficiently when they have advance notice
• More availability: Popular shipping dates fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons
• Route optimization: Your vehicle can be bundled with other shipments heading the same direction

If you need rush shipping, we can often accommodate pickups within 3-5 days, though this typically costs more. For the most flexibility and savings, book your Columbia car shipping service as early as possible.

No payment is due at the time of booking. We do require a payment method on file so that it is available to charge once a carrier is secured. We accept all major debit and credit cards, including Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express. The most convenient option is to pay for your shipment in full by credit card at the time a carrier is secured.

We also allow you to pay for your Initial Payment via credit or debit card and then pay the outstanding balance on delivery day via cash or a certified check made out to the carrier.

Your Sherpa shipment includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If you are shipping to or from a port or your shipment includes ocean transit, your vehicle must be emptied of all items. Sherpa and your assigned carrier cannot be responsible for personal items left inside the vehicle. See our Vehicle Shipping Tips for more details.

Yes. It is important that you, or another adult that you trust, is there for pickup and delivery of your vehicle. This designated person plays an important role in the shipping process including documenting the state of the vehicle and signing the Bill of Lading, which acts as a receipt of the vehicle’s condition.

Open transport is the most common and budget-friendly option. Your car rides on an open trailer, exposed to weather and road debris. It’s safe for most vehicles and costs less.

Enclosed transport protects your car inside a covered trailer. It costs 40-60% more than open transport but shields your vehicle from weather, dust, and road debris.

Choose enclosed transport if you have:

• A luxury or exotic car
• A classic or vintage vehicle
• A car with custom paint or modifications
• A vehicle worth over $50,000

Most people shipping cars from Columbia, MO choose open transport. It’s reliable and much cheaper. Only pick enclosed if your car’s value justifies the extra cost.

Need help deciding? Check our complete open vs enclosed transport guide for more details.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service for Columbia, MO residents. This means we pick up your vehicle from your home or office and deliver it directly to your destination address.

When you book with us, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery locations. Our carrier will come right to your door in Columbia whenever possible. If your street has restrictions like low-hanging branches, narrow roads, or weight limits for large trucks, we’ll work with you to find a safe nearby spot like a shopping center or gas station.

Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle. You won’t need to drive to a terminal or arrange extra transportation. Most Columbia neighborhoods can accommodate our carriers, making this our most popular shipping option.

Many Auto Transport companies try to tease customers with lower rates, only to surprise you with “hidden costs” later. At Sherpa Auto Transport, we do things differently. We provide one locked-in price upfront and stick to it. If unexpected costs arise, we pay them out of our own pocket.

While we may not always be the cheapest option at first glance, our commitment to transparency and reliability offers exceptional value. As a premium service, we ensure an stress-free experience from start to finish.

We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans and motorcycles across the nation, including service to Alaska and Hawaii. At this time, we do not service boats, golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship both operable and inoperable vehicles so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. We can also ship electric vehicles.

Visit Sherpa’s FAQ page to learn more about car shipping!